Methods for wirelessly operating water purification systems

ABSTRACT

Wireless methods for dispensing water supplied by a main purification unit to a remote dispensing device. The remote dispensing device is fluidly coupled with the main purification unit. A wireless transceiver is associated with the remote dispensing device and another wireless transceiver is associated with the main purification unit. The wireless transceivers communicate across a wireless communications link between the remote dispensing device and the main purification unit. The system may include multiple remote dispensing devices and/or multiple main purification units.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to methods for wirelessly operating waterpurification systems to dispense purified water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standalone water purification systems, which have been commerciallyavailable for decades, are used principally in laboratory environmentsto provide highly purified and high quality reagent grade water forvarious applications, including chemical analysis and physical testing.Ordinary tap water contains a variety of contaminants or impurities,including dissolved organics, dissolved inorganics, dissolved gases,suspended particles, microorganisms, and byproducts from bacterialdegradation. Water purification systems remove a substantial portion ofthese contaminants and impurities to generate reagent grade water.

Various standards are employed to specify the purity of reagent gradewater. One such standard setting forth requirements for water suitablefor use in methods of chemical analysis and physical testing is thecommonly-accepted standard D1193-99e1 “Standard Specification forReagent Water” established by the organization ASTM International (WestConshohocken, Pa.). Under this standard, the highest quality reagentgrade water, which conforms to, or exceeds, ASTM Type I standards, isgenerally used in applications like high performance liquidchromatography (HPLC), atomic absorption (AA) spectrometry, and tissueculture. The ASTM Type II grade of reagent water, which has a lowerpurity than ASTM Type I reagent grade water, may be used forhematological, serological, and microbiological procedures. Reagentgrade water suitable for general laboratory qualitative analyses, suchas urinalysis, parasitology, and histological procedures, conforms toASTM Type III standards. The ASTM Type IV grade of reagent water, whichconforms to the least stringent standards, is used in applications wherethese relaxed purity requirements are permitted.

Conventional water purification systems may include a main purificationunit that contains a pump that forces water through a fluid circuit anda water purification device capable of removing unwanted contaminantsand impurities from water circulating in the fluid circuit. The waterpurification device may rely on a number of familiar purificationtechniques, including filtration, single or multiple distillation,sorption, and ion exchange, for removing impurities from the circulatingwater. The main purification unit often includes a manually operated tapor dispensing valve positioned at a convenient location on the mainpurification unit that diverts reagent grade water from the fluidcircuit for fixed dispensing.

Certain applications dictate the need for a capability of dispensingreagent grade water at a location remote or removed from the mainpurification unit. A detached dispensing apparatus, which may have theform of a gun or another form such as a solenoid, may be fluidlyconnected to the main purification unit by a length of flexible tubing.The tubing conveys a flow of reagent grade water from the mainpurification unit to the remote dispensing apparatus. The dispensingapparatus may be positioned relative to the main purification unitwithin the spatial limits imposed by the length of the flexible tubingfor remotely dispensing reagent grade water. A stream of reagent gradewater is continuously circulated through the tubing coupling the mainpurification unit with the dispensing apparatus and through thedispensing apparatus. When the dispensing apparatus is manuallyactuated, reagent grade water is dispensed.

Use of a remote dispensing apparatus in a water purification system alsoconserves space on the bench-top because the main purification unit canbe positioned, for example, either under the bench, at the back of thebench, or high on a wall. In certain designs, the remote dispensingapparatus is removably supported in a bracket integrated into the mainpurification unit and may be optionally used for fixed dispensing localto the main purification unit when mounted in the bracket. Other ways ofsupporting a remote dispensing apparatus include a wall-mounting bracketor a bracket on a bench-top stand. When removed from the bracket andhand held to dispense purified reagent grade water into a container, theremote dispensing apparatus must be gripped at all times whiledepressing a gun trigger or with the gun trigger locked.

The remote dispensing apparatus may include electrical components thatcommunicate with the main purification unit across a hard-wiredcommunications link. For example, a remote dispensing apparatus mayfeature a flow control solenoid that is opened and closed by anelectrical signal communicated through conductors inside a cableextending from the main purification unit. However, such cables tend tobecome entangled with nearby obstacles. Cables also have a finite lengthand are terminated by electrical connectors on each end. Hence, cablelength may be adjusted only by installing a different cable. If a cableis too short, a longer cable must be installed. If the remote dispensingapparatus is moved closer to the main purification unit than the cablelength, the unused length of the cable may prove cumbersome andunwieldy. Lengthy leads may also be susceptible to electrical noise orcause electrical noise that interferes with the operation of adjacentnoise-sensitive devices. Another deficiency of conventional mainpurification units is that most only include a single connection pointfor the cable, which limits the main purification unit for use with onlya single remote dispensing apparatus.

Multiple remote dispensing apparatus may be coupled with a single mainpurification unit by running lengths of tubing of a water loop andelectrical cables from the unit to each of the remote dispensingapparatus. In some facilities, an existing fluid loop may extend throughthe room walls to connect different rooms in which one or more of theremote dispensing apparatus are situated. However, a facility that lacksan existing fluid loop will require remodeling or refurbishing to alterthe structure to add a fluid loop servicing multiple rooms. The cablingof remote dispensing apparatus in different facility rooms also presentsdifficulties. Each of the remote dispensing apparatus should include acable extending in association with the fluid loop to the mainpurification unit. The wire gauge scales upwardly with increasing cablelength, which increases the cumbersomeness and unwieldiness of thecables. Fluid loops in newly constructed facilities must includeassociated cabling for establishing communication between the remotedispensing devices and the main purification unit.

In view of these and other deficiencies of conventional waterpurification systems, it would be desirable to dispense reagent gradewater with one or more remote dispensing devices that lack a hard-wiredconnection with the main purification unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for dispensing purifiedwater supplied by a main purification unit comprises a remote dispensingdevice capable of being fluidly coupled with the main purification unit.A wireless transceiver is associated with the remote dispensing device.The wireless transceiver is operative to communicate across a wirelesscommunications link with the main purification unit.

In another embodiment of the invention, a system for dispensing watercomprises a main purification unit configured to supply purified waterand a remote dispensing device is fluidly coupled with the mainpurification unit. Wireless transceivers associated with the mainpurification unit and the remote dispensing device are operative toenable communications across a wireless communications link.

In another embodiment of the invention, a system for dispensing watercomprises a main purification unit configured to supply purified water,a first remote dispensing device fluidly coupled with the mainpurification unit, and a second remote dispensing device is fluidlycoupled with the main purification unit. The first remote dispensingdevice includes a first wireless transceiver operative to communicatewith a wireless transceiver of the main purification unit across a firstwireless communications link. The second remote dispensing deviceincludes a second wireless transceiver operative to communicate with thewireless transceiver of the main purification unit for communicationacross a second wireless communications link.

In another embodiment of the invention, a system for dispensing watercomprises a first main purification unit and a second main purificationunit each configured to supply purified water. A first wirelesstransceiver is associated with the first main purification unit and asecond wireless transceiver is associated with the second mainpurification unit. A first remote dispensing device is fluidly coupledwith the first main purification unit and a second remote dispensingdevice is fluidly coupled with the second main purification unit. Thefirst remote dispensing device includes a first wireless transceiveroperative to communicate with the first wireless transceiver of thefirst main purification unit across a first wireless communicationslink. The second remote dispensing device includes a second wirelesstransceiver operative to communicate with the second wirelesstransceiver of the second main purification unit across a secondwireless communications link.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided foroperating a water purification system having a main purification unitand a remote dispensing device including a dispenser fluidly coupledwith the main purification unit. The method comprises entering atargeted volume of water or a targeted dispensing time at the remotedispensing device and initiating a water-dispensing event at the remotedispensing device to dispense water from the dispenser. The methodfurther comprises communicating at least one of the targeted volume ofwater, the targeted dispensing time, or an indication of the initiationof the water-dispensing event in a wireless signal from the remotedispensing device to the main purification unit.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided forwirelessly operating a water purification system having a mainpurification unit and first and second remote dispensing devices eachincluding a dispenser fluidly coupled with the main purification unit.The method comprises entering a first targeted volume of purified wateror a first targeted dispensing time at one of the first and secondremote dispensing devices and initiating a first water dispensing eventat the one of the first and second remote dispensing devices to dispensethe purified water from the respective dispenser. The method furthercomprises communicating a first wireless signal containing dataindicative of at least one of the first targeted volume of water, thefirst targeted dispensing time, or an indication of the initiation ofthe first water dispensing event from the one of the first and secondremote dispensing devices to the main purification unit.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided foroperating a water purification system having a main purification unithaving a water outlet and a remote dispensing device including adispenser fluidly coupled with the main purification unit. At least oneof the remote dispensing device or the water purification unit has anRFID tag reader. The method comprises placing a container carrying anRFID tag in proximity to the RFID tag reader and reading a targetedvolume of purified water from the RFID tag using the RFID tag reader.The method further comprises dispensing an amount of purified watersubstantially equal to the targeted volume into the container.

These and other benefits and advantages of the invention shall becomemore apparent from the accompanying drawings and description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with a general description of the invention given above, andthe detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a water purification system inaccordance with the principles of the invention, which includes a mainpurification unit and a remote dispensing device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the remote dispensing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 in which a dispenser heldby the remote dispensing device has been removed from its supportbracket;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of the remotedispensing device taken generally along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the components inside a base of the remotedispensing device;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a manifold of the remote dispensingdevice taken generally along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a water purification system inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 7 of a water purificationsystem in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 7 of a water purificationsystem in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a laboratory environment featuringmultiple remote dispensing units and multiple main purification units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a water purification system 10 includesa main purification unit 12 and a remote dispensing apparatus or device14 fluidly coupled with the main purification unit 12. Main purificationunit 12 includes a fluid circuit 16 equipped with various components,including a pump 13 and a water purification device 15. The pump 13moves water through a purification medium of the water purificationdevice 15 and continuously circulates water through the fluid circuit16. The water purification device 15 is suitable for producing treatedor purified water such as reagent grade water usable in methods ofchemical analysis and physical testing, although the invention is not solimited.

An exemplary water purification device 15 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,379,560, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. An exemplary main purification unit 12 is disclosed incommonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,328,881, 6,432,300, and 6,585,885, eachof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.Main purification units 12 with which the remote dispensing device 14may be used include the NANOpure DIamond Ultrapure Water Systemscommercially available from Barnstead International (Dubuque, Iowa). Thecombination of the main purification unit 12 with a wired remotedispensing device, similar to remote dispensing device 14, is disclosedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/068,122; the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The main purification unit 12 further includes a flow control system 18that interfaces the fluid circuit 16 with an inlet 20, which isconnected by a feed line with a water source, such as a storage tank orreservoir 21 fed by a separate deionized water system. The mainpurification unit 12 further includes a user interface 22 and acontroller 24 coupled with the user interface 22. Software resident in aprocessor, such as a microprocessor, of the controller 24 and anelectrical circuit incorporated into the controller 24 implementscommands entered on the user interface 22 to control the operation ofthe water purification system 10 and, in particular, operation of theflow control system 18. The processor of the controller 24 receivesinstructions from a memory or like device, and executes thoseinstructions, thereby performing a process defined by thoseinstructions.

The controller 24 is electrically coupled by an electrical cable 35 witha flow sensor 26, which is operative to generate an electronic signalproportional to water flow in the fluid circuit 16 or amounts ofpurified water dispensed from the fluid circuit 16. The controller 24uses the electronic signal received from the flow sensor 26 across cable35 to determine a volume of purified water dispensed from the mainpurification unit 12. The user interface 22 includes a control panel 28with input devices and controls such as a keypad, pushbuttons, controlknobs, a touch screen, etc. that are used to control the operation ofthe main purification unit 12. For example, a user can manipulate thecontrol panel 28 of the user interface 22 to enter a numerical value fora target volume of purified water to be dispensed from the fluid circuit16 into the controller 24. Controller 24 stores the numerical value ofthe target volume for future use. The user interface 22 may include anoutput device or display 30 that indicates, for example, a volume ofpurified water dispensed, or to be dispensed, by the water purificationsystem 10. The invention contemplates that the control panel 28 anddisplay 30 may comprise a composite structure in which, for example, thedisplay 30 is embedded in the control panel 28.

Any volume of purified water dispensed from fluid circuit 16 isreplenished by pretreated water admitted by the flow control system 18through the inlet 20. The flow sensor 26, which may be optionallyassociated with flow control system 18, monitors the volume of purifiedwater dispensed by the water purification system 10. The dispensedvolume may be indicated to the user on display 30 and/or display 102. Anexemplary flow control system 18 is disclosed in commonly owned U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,328,881, 6,432,300, and 6,585,885, incorporated by referenceabove.

The fluid circuit 16 includes a dispense manifold 19 with fluid flowcomponents, such as a solenoid valve, interfaced with controller 24 forcontrolling the flow of purified water to an optional outlet 32 of themain purification unit 12 and for directing water through the fluidcircuit 16 when the path to the outlet 32 is closed. Purified water maybe dispensed, at the user's discretion, from the outlet 32 or at theremote dispensing device 14. The user may initiate volumetricallycontrolled water dispensing from outlet 32 by actuating a switch (notshown) at main purification unit 12.

A removable jumper 34 of the main purification unit 12 is coupled byhydraulic fittings across an outlet 38 and an inlet 46 of the fluidcircuit 16. The jumper 34 comprises a conduit that fluidly connects theoutlet 38 with the inlet 46 to permit continuous water flow through thefluid circuit 16 when the remote dispensing device 14 is uncoupled fromthe main purification unit 12. When the jumper 34 is disconnected, asshown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic fittings of the outlet 38 and inlet 46are accessible for removably coupling the remote dispensing device 14with the fluid circuit 16. In this instance, a flexible water line orconduit 36 fluidly couples the outlet 38 from the fluid circuit 16 witha passageway 40 (FIG. 5) defined in a manifold 42 of the remotedispensing device 14. Similarly, a flexible water line or conduit 44couples the inlet 46 to the fluid circuit 16 with a passageway 48 (FIG.5) defined in the manifold 42.

An electrical cable 23 electrically couples the controller 24 in themain purification unit 12 with a purity sensor 25. The purity sensor 25samples the purity of the water circulating in fluid circuit 16 on acontinuing basis by measuring, for example, water resistivity of thepurified water and generates an electronic signal related to the purityof water in the fluid circuit 16. The purity sensor 25 communicates theelectrical signal across cable 23 to the controller 24, which uses theelectronic signal received from the purity sensor 25 to determine waterpurity. The controller 24 may use the measured water purity forcontrolling the operation of the remote dispensing device 14. Forexample, if the water purity is unacceptable relative to a minimum setpoint or purity standard, the controller 24 may forbid the remotedispensing device 14 from initiating a dispensing event. The puritysensor 25, which is representatively shown in the fluid circuit 16between the water purification device 15 and flow sensor 26, may beplaced in the fluid circuit 16 between the flow sensor 26 and outlet 38or between the inlet 46 and the dispense manifold 19. The invention alsocontemplates that the remote dispensing device 14 may include a puritysensor 25′.

With reference to FIGS. 2-6, the remote dispensing device 14 includes abase 50, a flexible support arm or gooseneck 54 extending away from thebase 50, and a manual dispensing gun or dispenser 56. Projectingdownwardly from the base 50 are feet 52, which support the remotedispensing device 14 on a surface 53 and elevate the base 50 slightlyabove the surface 53. The gooseneck 54 may be manipulated forpositioning the dispenser 56 relative to the base 50 while the dispenser56 is mounted in a gripping member or spring clip 60 of a bracket 58.The base 50, gooseneck 54, and bracket 58 collectively constitute asupport structure for the dispenser 56.

Situated and contained inside the base 50 are the manifold 42, a flowcontrol valve preferably in the form of a three port-two way solenoidvalve 62, and a controller 64 configured as a board carrying anelectrical circuit with electronics or circuitry adapted to, among otherthings, power and switch the solenoid valve 62. The electrical circuitof the controller 64 may be implemented using analog or digital circuitcomponents, or a programmable microcomputer control that operates inresponse to stored program instructions. Solenoid valve 62 is operativefor directing the flow path of purified water through the manifold 42.The solenoid valve 62 and controller 64 collectively constitute a flowregulation device operative to open and close the flow path for thestream of purified water through the manifold 42, which selectivelydiverts the flow of the stream of purified water to the dispenser 56.The invention contemplates that other types of flow control valves, asunderstood by persons of ordinary skill, may be substituted for thesolenoid valve 62.

The solenoid valve 62 is configured with an inlet port 66 and a pair ofoutlet ports 68, 70 among which an internal switching mechanism (notshown) of solenoid valve 62 can select a path for directing a flow ofthe stream of purified water received from the main purification unit12. Passageway 40 feeds the stream of purified water received throughflexible conduit 36 from the main purification unit 12 to the inlet port66 of the solenoid valve 62. Passageway 48, which is coupled with outletport 68 of the solenoid valve 62, returns the stream of purified waterthrough flexible conduit 44 to the main purification unit 12.

The manifold 42 further includes passageways 72, 74 each having anexternal connection point defined in base 50. Passageway 72, which iscoupled with an outlet port 70 of the solenoid valve 62, is furthercoupled by a flexible conduit 76 with an inlet 78 (FIG. 4) to thedispenser 56. Passageway 74, which is coupled by a connecting passageway80 with passageway 48, is further coupled by a flexible conduit 82 withan outlet 84 (FIG. 4) from the dispenser 56. A check valve 86 (FIG. 6)in passageway 74 prevents backflow through passageway 74 into flexibleconduit 82 when passageway 72 is closed by the solenoid valve 62 toblock the flow loop to the dispenser 56. The check valve 86 alsoprovides any back pressure necessary for proper operation of a valve 88(FIG. 4) inside the dispenser 56. The flexible conduits 76, 82 areconfined inside a sheath 83 that extends between the manifold 42 anddispenser 56. The conduits 76, 82 and sheath 83 may have a coiledsection, generally indicated by reference numeral 85, that uncoils froma stored condition when the dispenser 56 is moved to a location remotefrom the gooseneck 54 and bracket 58.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the valve 88 of the dispenser 56 may beoperated by manually actuating or otherwise depressing an externaltrigger 90. When the dispenser 56 is suitably positioned at a point ofuse and the valve 88 is opened by depressing trigger 90, a stream ofpurified water may be dispensed through a point-of-use filter 92 havinga pore size appropriate for capturing bacteria and particulates. Suchdispensers 56 are described, for example, in commonly owned U.S. Pat.No. 5,988,435, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. However, the invention is not so limited as persons ofordinary skill will recognize that any type of recirculating dispenser56 may be used with the remote dispensing device 14. It should be notedthat the main purification unit 12 and remote dispensing device 14cooperate to control dispensing of purified water from the dispenser 56.In certain embodiments of the invention, dispenser 56 may be replaced bya dispenser (not shown) that is incapable of recirculation, in whichcase only one of the flexible conduits 76, 82 will be required fortransferring purified water to the dispenser 56. Alternatively,dispenser 56 may have the form of a solenoid valve (not shown), whichmay be similar in construction to solenoid valve 62.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the remote dispensing device 14 includes auser interface 96 having a control panel 101 with electrical controls orswitches 98, 100 coupled with the electronics or electrical circuit ofcontroller 64 and accessible to the user for entering instructions,commands, and other data. For example, the switches 98, 100 of thecontrol panel 101 may be used to initiate water dispensing and to selectbetween different modes of operation for remote dispensing device 14.The electrical circuit of the controller 64 may respond to commands andother information input at the user interface 96. Switches 98, 100 maybe any suitable electrical switch such as touch-sensitive membraneswitches. The user interface 96 is coupled internally with thecontroller 64 for communicating selections made using the switches 98,100 at the user interface 96 to the electrical circuit of controller 64.

The purified water flow path to the dispenser 56 is switched andcontrolled by the cooperation between manifold 42 and solenoid valve 62locally at the remote dispensing device 14. Switch 100 of the userinterface 96 may be operated by the user to select between differentmodes, such as a manual mode of operation and an automatic or volumetricmode of operation, for operating remote dispensing device 14.

In the manual mode of operation, the solenoid valve 62 of remotedispensing device 14 is continuously energized. The outlet port 68 isclosed and the outlet port 70 is opened when the solenoid valve 62 iscontinuously energized. As a result, purified water is directed frompassageway 40 through passageways 72, 74 in a flow path through thedispenser 56 and including conduits 76, 82. Purified water flowingthrough passageway 74 is directed through passageway 48 and returnedthrough conduit 44 to the fluid circuit 16 (FIG. 1) of the mainpurification unit 12. When the valve 88 (FIG. 4) of the dispenser 56 isoperated by depressing external trigger 90, purified water is dispensedon demand through the filter 92 and into a container. In the manualoperation mode, there is no targeted volume for dispensed purified wateras dispensing continues until the trigger 90 is released. Dispensing isdiscontinued when the external trigger 90 is released to close the valve88. The volumetric mode of operation will be described hereinbelow.

Other switches and displays are contemplated by the invention as beingintegrated into the construction of the remote dispensing device 14. Forexample, the control panel 101 of user interface 96 may optionallyinclude an electrical control (not shown) similar to switches 98, 100,such as a keypad with a volume increment switch and volume decrementswitch or a rotational knob, for programming the target volume ofdispensed purified water. A visual indicator or display 102 (FIG. 1) ofuser interface 96, which may be graphical or character based, may beused, among other things, to display the target volume to the user atthe location of the remote dispensing device 14.

Electronics or circuitry is provided on both the controller 24 of themain purification unit 12 and the controller 64 of the remote dispensingdevice 14 for exchanging information. To that end, the controllers 24,64 communicate over a wireless communications link 104 forbi-directionally transmitting command and information signals betweenthe main purification unit 12 and the remote dispensing device 14. Thewireless signals between the main purification unit 12 and the remotedispensing device 14 may be exchanged using signal carrier modalities ofultrasonic signals, and electromagnetic signals such as microwavesignals, radio-frequency (RF) signals, and optical signals including,but not limited to, near-infrared radiation signals or high frequencyfluorescent light switching. The signal carrier modality may be RFsignals, which do not require a line-of-sight path for transmission ofthe carrier energy. The wireless communications link 104 allows data tobe transmitted between the main purification unit 12 and remotedispensing device 14 without a physical connection or intermediatedevice.

In one embodiment, the wireless communications link 104 comprises awireless transmitter-receiver or transceiver 120 for transmitting andreceiving wireless signals incorporated into the controller 24 of mainpurification unit 12, or otherwise associated with the controller 24.The wireless communications link 104 further comprises a wirelesstransceiver 122 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals andincorporated into the controller 64 of the remote dispensing device 14,or otherwise associated with the controller 64. The transceivers 120,122 may each have a built-in antenna for transmitting and receivingwireless signals, which may be transmitted and received according to anydesired encoding and modulating scheme. Transceiver 120 is attached orotherwise secured to the remote dispensing device 14 and, similarly,transceiver 122 is also attached or otherwise secured to the mainpurification unit 12.

Controllers 24, 64 encode the transmitted wireless signals fortransmission and decode the received wireless signals, as required, forretrieving data from the signals. The data may include commands, forexample, for controlling the main purification unit 12 and the remotedispensing device 14, as appropriate or, as another example, numericalinformation. The visual display 102 at the remote dispensing device 14may display standard operating characteristics of the main purificationunit 12, such as water purity, water temperature, mode of operation,flow rate, dispense volume remaining, amount dispensed, water volume inthe storage reservoir 21, etc. communicated from the main purificationunit 12 across wireless communications link 104.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-6, the electrical components ofremote dispensing device 14, and at least the wireless transceiver 122,are powered by a power source 124. Power source 124 may be analternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power source suppliedover an electrical cable 126 extending from facility power 128 andindependent of the main purification unit 12. Alternatively, one or morebatteries 131, which are installed in a battery holder 130 carried bythe remote dispensing device 14, may power the electronics of the remotedispensing device 14. Batteries 131 may be, for example, alkalinebatteries, lithium batteries, rechargeable batteries, or thin-filmbatteries.

In the volumetric mode of operation, the visual display 102 of userinterface 96 (FIG. 1) may be used to directly enter in a volume of waterto be dispensed by the remote dispensing device 14 or a specific amountof time over which water is dispensed from the remote dispensing device14. The solenoid valve 62 of remote dispensing device 14 remainsde-energized with outlet port 70 closed and outlet port 68 opened toprovide a closed-loop, circulation path through flexible conduits 36, 44between the main purification unit 12 and remote dispensing device 14.The gooseneck 54 is manipulated to position dispenser 56 relative to acontainer for hands-free fixed dispensing or the dispenser 56 is heldmanually at a location for non-fixed dispensing. The trigger 90 ismanually locked to open the valve 88 (FIG. 4). However, purified wateris not directed to the dispenser 56 until instructed by controller 64.

Control switch 98 is depressed to cause controller 64 to initiatevolumetric dispensing of the entered volume from dispenser 56. Thecontroller 64 energizes the solenoid valve 62, which closes outlet port68 and opens outlet port 70 to supply a flow path for purified water tothe dispenser 56. Purified water is immediately diverted through outletport 70 of the solenoid valve 62 to passageway 72 of manifold 42 andthrough conduit 76 to dispenser 56 in a flow path destined forsubsequent and immediate dispensing through filter 92.

The volume of water or time and an indication of the initiation of adispensing event or cycle are encoded by the controller 64 andtransmitted by the transceiver 122 of remote dispensing device 14 as awireless signal across wireless communications link 104 to thetransceiver 120 of the main purification unit 12. The controller 24 atthe main purification unit 12, after decoding the data in the receivedsignal, dynamically tracks the volume of water dispensed using the flowsensor 26, if a volume is dispensed, or accumulates an elapsed time.When the flow control system 18 senses that the volume of water has beensupplied to the remote dispensing device 14 or that the time has lapsed,the controller 24 transmits a wireless signal using transceiver 120 overthe wireless communications link 104 back to the remote dispensingdevice 14.

The wireless signal, after being received by the transceiver 122 of theremote dispensing device 14 and decoded by the controller 64, commandsthe electrical circuit of the controller 64 to de-energize the solenoidvalve 62 to discontinue dispensing from dispenser 56. When returned tothe de-energized state, the outlet port 70 of solenoid valve 62 isclosed and the outlet port 68 of solenoid valve 62 is opened to blockthe flow path to the dispenser 56 and to re-establish the recirculationpath between the main purification unit 12 and the remote dispensingdevice 14. In this manner, the user can remotely set the target volumeat the location of the remote dispensing device 14 and communicate thatselection wirelessly to the main purification unit 12 for use bycontroller 24 of the main purification unit 12 in performing avolumetric dispense cycle.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the user interface 96 maylack the visual display 102 and, instead, the volume or time may beentered on the main purification unit 12. Upon pressing control switch98 on the remote dispensing device 14, the controller 64 energizes thesolenoid valve 62 to dispense purified water from dispenser 56. Thecontroller 64 uses transceiver 122 to communicate a wireless signal tothe transceiver 120 of the main purification unit 12 indicatinginitiation of a dispense cycle. Upon receipt, the controller 24 at themain purification unit 12 decodes the information in the wireless signaland uses flow sensor 26 to volumetrically monitor the flow of purifiedwater to the remote dispensing device 14 or the elapsed time. When thecontroller 24 detects that the volume of water has been supplied to theremote dispensing device 14 or the controller 24 determines that thetargeted dispense time has lapsed, the controller 24 communicates awireless signal using transceiver 120 over the wireless communicationslink 104 back to the remote dispensing device 14. The wireless signal,after being received by transceiver 122 and decoded by controller 64,commands the controller 64 of the remote dispensing device 14 to switchthe solenoid valve 62 to discontinue dispensing from dispenser 56.

As another example, the controller 24 may periodically communicate asignal across wireless communications link 104 to the remote dispensingdevice 14 corresponding to the product water purity, as measured bypurity sensor 25, being either above or below a minimum value. The waterpurity may alternatively be monitored by purity sensor 25′ stationed atthe remote dispensing device 14. The user interface 96 of the remotedispensing device 14 may include a visual indicator 106, such as a lightemitting diode (LED), that indicates the product water purity. Forexample, the visual indicator 106 may illuminate if water purity isabove the minimum acceptable value. If the purity is insufficient, thecontroller 64 may de-energize solenoid valve 62 and prematurelydiscontinue volumetric dispensing from dispenser 56. If the remotedispensing device 14 is operating in manual mode, dispenser 56 is lockedopen, and water purity drops below the purity set point. During themanual dispense, The remote dispensing device 14 reverts into volumetricmode with the solenoid valve 62 de-energized. In addition, switch 100may be disabled from changing from volumetric mode to manual mode if thepurity does not exceed the purity set point. This prohibits a user fromdispensing purified water at the remote dispensing device 14 if thepurity does not exceed the purity set point.

The wireless connection of the remote dispensing device 14 to the mainpurification unit 12 represents a significant improvement overconventional water purification systems. The wirelessly controlledremote dispensing device 14 is only fluidly coupled by water connectionsto the main purification unit 12 but lacks electrically wired orhard-wired connections via electrical conductors to the mainpurification unit 12. This flexibility allows for having many varyingdistances of water tubing (i.e., one meter from main purification unit12, ten meters from unit 12, etc.). The limitation on distance is thelength of tubing that still affords sufficient pressures at the remotedispensing device 14; not the length of an electrical cable.Consequently, a user does not require an inventory of electrical cableshaving different wire lengths or a large length of wire that is coiledand stored when the remote dispensing device 14 is positioned near themain purification unit 12.

A benefit of the invention is a new or refurbished facility may have afluid loop installed without electrical cabling for electricallyconnecting the remote dispensing device 14 with the main purificationunit 12 to establish a hard-wired communications link. If the remotedispensing device 14 is powered by battery 131, then a power connection,such as electrical cable 126, is likewise not required. In thiscompletely wireless embodiment, the remote dispensing device is portableamong different locations in a facility by simply establishing andbreaking a fluid connection with the facility fluid loop.

The remote dispensing device 14 may comprise a different type of device(not shown), including but not limited to a dishwasher or a clinicalchemistry analyzer system, each equipped with a flow control valve thatregulates dispensing to control the dispensing of purified water fromthe main purification unit 12 for use in the device.

The remote dispensing device 14 may be an accessory to the mainpurification unit 12 as either an alternate dispensing device or one ofmany dispensers in water purification system 10. Alternatively, theremote dispensing device 14 may be the sole dispenser incorporated intothe water purification system 10.

With reference to FIG. 7, additional remote dispensing apparatus ordevices 14 a, 14 b, each similar or identical to remote dispensingdevice 14, may be controlled across bi-directional wirelesscommunications links 104 a, 104 b, respectively, that are each similarto communications link 104. The remote dispensing apparatus 14, 14 a, 14b may communicate with each other across a wireless network or mesh.Specifically, remote dispensing apparatus 14 and remote dispensingdevice 14 a may bi-directionally transmit command and informationsignals across a communications link 108 using their respectivetransceivers 122 (FIG. 1). Similarly, remote dispensing device 14 andremote dispensing device 14 b may bi-directionally transmit command andinformation signals across a communications link 110 using theirrespective transceivers 122 and remote dispensing device 14 a and remotedispensing device 14 b may bi-directionally transmit command andinformation signals across a communications link 112 using theirrespective transceivers 122. Each of the remote dispensing devices 14,14 a, 14 b on the wireless mesh is freed from the need for wiredconnections. Various wireless network protocols are available tofacilitate communications over the communications links 108, 110, 112comprising the wireless mesh.

The remote dispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 b are daisy-chained togetherfor supplying a closed water circulation path with the main purificationunit 12. The inlet passageway 40 of remote dispensing device 14 isfluidly coupled by flexible conduit 101 with the outlet 38 of the fluidcircuit 16 of main purification unit 12. The inlet passageway 40 ofremote dispensing device 14 a is fluidly coupled by flexible conduit 103with the outlet passageway 48 of remote dispensing device 14. Similarly,the inlet passageway 40 of remote dispensing device 14 b is fluidlycoupled by flexible conduit 105 with the outlet passageway 48 of remotedispensing device 14 a. The outlet passageway 48 of remote dispensingdevice 14 b is fluidly coupled by flexible conduit 105 with inlet 46 ofthe fluid circuit 16 of main purification unit 12. The flow sensor 26 inthe main purification unit 12 may be used for controlling volumes ofwater dispensed from the main purification unit 12, if equipped withwater outlet 32, or from any of the remote dispensing devices 14, 14 a,14 b.

The multiple remote dispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 b and mainpurification unit 12 and controller 24 may be physically located indifferent rooms of a building or facility 109. For example, remotedispensing device 14 may be located in room 111, remote dispensingdevice 14 a may be located in room 113, remote dispensing device 14 bmay be located in room 115, and the main purification unit 12 andcontroller 24 may be located in room 117. Other embodiments with morethan one of the devices 14, 14 a, 14 b in any one of the rooms 111, 113,115, 117 and/or unit 12 in the same one of the rooms 111, 113, 115, 117as one or more of the devices 14, 14 a, 14 b are envisioned byembodiments of the invention. Advantageously, the multiple remotedispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 b located in different rooms 111, 113,115 of a facility 109 do not require hard-wired connections foroperation.

Alternatively, a volumetric flow sensor 136 (FIG. 6), similar to flowsensor 26, may be located in the remote dispensing device 14, inflexible conduit 36, or between flexible conduit 36 and connection 40. Asimilar flow sensor 136 may also be positioned with any of theselocations in each of the other remote dispensing devices 14 a, 14 b.Flow sensor 136 is operative to generate an electronic signalproportional to water flow in the manifold 42 or volumes of purifiedwater dispensed from dispenser 56 and to supply the electronic signal tothe controller 64. Each of the remote dispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 bmay transmit signals relating to, for example, flow volume and flow ratesensed by the corresponding flow sensor 136 or the initiation of a waterdispensing event across the wireless communications link 104, 104 a, 104b, respectively, to the main purification unit 12 for independentdisplay on display 30 and a level of independent decision-making foreach of the remote dispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 b. This informationmay also be used by the controller 24 for logging the dispensed volumeof water and other information relating to the dispensing event atremote dispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 b. As a result, each of themultiple remote dispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 b may simultaneouslydispense the purified water generated by the main purification unit 12,while optionally receiving information about the purity of the purifiedwater and/or the mode of operation of the main purification unit 12.

Consistent with the principles of the invention, each of the remotedispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 b may be replaced by a different type ofremote dispensing device (not shown), including but not limited to adishwasher or a clinical chemistry analyzer system.

With reference to FIG. 7A in which like reference numerals refer to likefeatures in FIG. 7 and in an alternative embodiment of the invention,inlet passageway 40 of two or more of the remote dispensing devices 14,14 a, 14 b may receive purified water from a flexible conduit 140connecting the outlet 38 and inlet 46 of main purification unit 12. Theflexible conduit 140 defines a common water feed for the remotedispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 b and also defines a circulation pathfor purified water to prevent stagnation. The remote dispensing devices14, 14 a, 14 b may bi-directionally transmit command and informationsignals across communications links 108, 110, 112 so that each device14, 14 a, 14 b can be informed that another of the devices 14, 14 a, 14b is actively dispensing purified water. In the instance that devices14, 14, 14 b are not equipped with flow sensor 136, the mainpurification unit 12 may forbid non-dispensing ones of the devices 14,14 a, 14 b from dispensing purified water until the dispensing eventconcludes at the active one of the devices 14, 14 a, 14 b.Alternatively, the communications between the devices 14, 14 a, 14 b maybe directed across links 104, 104 a, 104 b.

The flexible conduit 140 may be configured to minimize any potential“dead legs” in which water flow is restricted. To that end, a tee 142 isplaced in flexible conduit 140 at the location of remote dispensingdevice 14. Similarly, a tee 142 a is placed in flexible conduit 140 atthe location of remote dispensing device 14 a and a tee 142 b is placedin flexible conduit 140 at the location of remote dispensing device 14b. Each of the tees 142, 142 a, 142 b has a relatively short central legthat couples the dispenser 56 (FIG. 2) of the corresponding one of theremote dispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 b with the flexible conduit 140.In this embodiment, the dispenser 56 for each device 14, 14 a, 14 b mayadvantageously have the construction of a solenoid valve (not shown), asdescribed above. Outlet passageway 48 (FIG. 5) may be omitted in thisembodiment of the invention, as recirculation is not required of thedispenser 56 itself as the flexible conduit 140 performs recirculation.

With reference to FIG. 7B in which like reference numerals refer to likefeatures in FIG. 7 and in an alternative embodiment of the invention,inlet passageway 40 of each of the remote dispensing devices 14, 14 a,14 b may receive purified water through a corresponding one of multiplededicated flexible conduits 144, 144 a, 144 b. The flexible conduits144, 144 a, 144 b branch from outlet 38 of main purification unit 12.Passageway 48 of each of the remote dispensing devices 14, 14 a, 14 b iscoupled fluidly by a common recirculation line 146 with the inlet 46 ofmain purification unit 12.

With reference to FIG. 8 in which like reference numerals refer to likefeatures in FIGS. 1-7 and in accordance with an alternative embodimentof the invention, a laboratory environment of a facility 109 (FIG. 7)may feature multiple main purification units 150, 152, 154, eachsubstantially identical to main purification unit 12, and multipleremote dispensing devices 151, 153, 155, each substantially identical toremote dispensing device 14. Although three main purification units 150,152, 154 and three remote dispensing devices 151, 153, 155 aredescribed, a person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat the invention is not so limited.

The controller 64 of remote dispensing device 151 communicates with thecontroller 24 of main purification unit 150 across a bi-directionalwireless communications link 156 established between transceivers 162,168 similar to transceivers 120, 122 (FIG. 1). The controller 64 ofremote dispensing device 153 communicates with the controller 24 of mainpurification unit 152 across a bi-directional wireless communicationslink 158 established between transceivers 164, 170 similar totransceivers 120, 122 (FIG. 1), respectively. The controller 24 of mainpurification unit 154 communicates with the controller 64 of remotedispensing device 155 across a bi-directional wireless communicationslink 160 established between transceivers 166, 172 similar totransceivers 120, 122 (FIG. 1), respectively. The architecture of thewireless communications links 156, 158, 160 may be configured such thatthe communications links 156, 158, 160 are independent and lackcross-communication.

The fluid circuit 16 of main purification unit 150 is fluidly coupledwith remote dispensing device 151 by a hydraulic path consisting offlexible conduits 157 a,b, which may be similar to flexible conduits 36,44 (FIG. 1) and permit purified water to return to the fluid circuit 16of unit 150 during, for example, periods when purified water is notbeing dispensed. Similarly, the fluid circuit 16 of main purificationunit 152 is fluidly coupled with remote dispensing device 153 by ahydraulic path consisting of flexible conduits 159 a,b and the fluidcircuit 16 of main purification unit 154 is fluidly coupled with remotedispensing device 155 by a hydraulic path consisting of flexibleconduits 161 a,b. Flexible conduits 159 a,b and 161 a,b are each similarto flexible conduits 157 a,b and permit purified water to recirculatewith respect to fluid circuit 16 of units 152, 154.

In one embodiment of the invention, each of the main purification units150, 152, 154 and each of the remote dispensing devices 151, 153, 155may be adapted to send or receive a wireless ‘ping’ for purposes ofdevice recognition and operational pairing. For each device pair, the‘pings’ are communicated between the pair of transceivers 162, 168, thepair of transceivers 164, 170, and the pair of transceivers 166, 172.For example, each of the remote dispensing devices 151, 153, 155 may betriggered to emit a ‘serialized ping’ over a specific timeframe as asignal encoded with information, such as the type of device, a uniquedevice identification or serial number, etc. Each of the mainpurification units 150, 152, 154 may be triggered to learn and react tothe ‘serialized ping’ of a corresponding one of the remote dispensingdevices 151, 153, 155. As a result, each of the main purification units150, 152, 154 is taught to react to only one of the remote dispensingdevices 151, 153, 155 in the laboratory environment. This has the effectof exclusively dedicating communications link 156 to link mainpurification unit 150 with remote dispensing device 151, communicationslink 158 to link main purification unit 152 with remote dispensingdevice 153, and communication links 160 to link main purification unit154 with remote dispensing device 155.

Conversely, each of the main purification units 150, 152, 154 may betriggered to emit the ‘serialized ping’ and each of the remotedispensing devices 151, 153, 155 instructed to react to only one of themain purification units 150, 152, 154. As a result, each of the remotedispensing devices 151, 153, 155 is taught to react to only one of themain purification units 150, 152, 154 in the laboratory environment.

Alternatively, each of the main purification units 150, 152, 154 andeach of the remote dispensing devices 151, 153, 155 may be assigned aunique address for purposes of device recognition and operationalpairing. Each of the main purification units 150, 152, 154 would storethe unique address of the corresponding one of the remote dispensingdevices 151, 153, 155. Similarly, each of the remote dispensing devices151, 153, 155 would store the unique address of the corresponding one ofthe main purification units 150, 152, 154. As a result, communication isestablished between each of the remote dispensing devices 151, 153, 155and only one of the main purification units 150, 152, 154, andvice-versa, in the laboratory environment.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tags 171, 173, 175 may be attached to orincorporated into each of the remote dispensing devices 151, 153, 155,respectively. The RFID tags 171, 173, 175 are activated upon receipt ofa predetermined signal. The transceivers 168, 170, 172 of the mainpurification units 150, 152, 154 may comprise RFID tag readers eachconfigured to read data from and/or write data to a corresponding one ofthe RFID tags 171, 173, 175 when in mutual proximity.

The RFID tags 171, 173, 175 associated with remote dispensing devices151, 153, 155, respectively contain electrical circuits, memory, andantennas to enable them to receive and respond to radio-frequencyqueries from a corresponding one of the RFID tag readers of transceivers168, 170, 172. The RFID tags 171, 173, 175 may be passive and, thus,require no internal power source. The requisite power is typicallyprovided by the signal from the RFID tag reader of the respective one ofthe transceivers 168, 170, 172, which activates the respective RFID tagwhen information is requested. Alternatively, the RFID tags 171, 173,175 may be active and, thus, require a power source. Typically, the RFIDtags 171, 173, 175 have a communication range of about a meter and maytransit and/or receive in a low frequency band (30-300 kHz), highfrequency band (3-30 MHz), a ultra-high frequency band (300 MHz to 3GHz), a microwave band (5.8 GHz), another suitable frequency, or anycombination of these frequency bands.

Each of the RFID tags 171, 173, 175 stores a unique identification,which is remotely retrieved by the tag reader of a corresponding one ofthe transceivers 168, 170, 172. Each of the tags 171, 173, 175 may alsobe communicably coupled with a corresponding memory storage device 163,165, 167, such as a flash memory, that provides additional storagecapabilities. The memory storage devices 163, 165, 167 may be anytemporary or persistent memory module with any suitable memory capacity.

When remote dispensing device 151 is placed into close proximity withmain purification unit 150, the controller 24 of unit 150 would initiatea setup procedure, after the RFID tag 171 associated with remotedispensing device 151 is sensed by the RFID tag reader associated withtransceiver 168, to initiate the wireless communications link 156 thatis dedicated to this specific device couple. When remote dispensingdevice 153 is placed into close proximity with main purification unit152, the controller 24 of unit 152 would initiate a setup procedure,after the RFID tag 173 associated with remote dispensing device 153 issensed by the RFID tag reader associated with transceiver 170, toinitiate the wireless communications link 158 that is dedicated to thisspecific device couple. When remote dispensing device 155 is placed intoclose proximity with main purification unit 154, the controller 24 ofunit 154 would initiate a setup procedure, after the RFID tag 175associated with remote dispensing device 155 is sensed by the RFID tagreader associated with transceiver 172, to wireless initiate thecommunications link 160 that is dedicated to this specific devicecouple.

In yet alternative embodiment of the invention, each of the RFID tags171, 173, 175 and the respective one of the memory storage devices 163,165, 167 may be merged to comprise a smart card or button chip and theRFID tag readers of transceivers 168, 170, 172 may each comprise a smartcard or button chip reader. In this instance, physically allowing eachof the remote dispensing devices 151, 153, 155 to communicate with areader of a corresponding one of the main purification units 150, 152,154 may simultaneously program each device pair to control and/or reactto the other.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, purified water may be dispensedfrom, for example, remote dispensing device 155 into a container 180.Container 180 may carry an RFID tag 182 that stores data indicating avolume of purified water representative of the capacity of the container180. The transceiver 166 of remote dispensing device 155 includes a tagreader adapted to retrieve the information stored on the RFID tag 182across a communications link 186, when the RFID tag 182 and the RFID tagreader of transceiver 166 are in proximity. After reading the targetedvolume, the remote dispensing device 155 can initiate a water dispensingevent, as diagrammatically indicted by single-headed arrow 184, to fillthe container 180 with an amount of purified water substantially equalto the stored volume on the RFID tag 182. This represents an alternativeapproach for determining a targeted volume of purified water to bedispensed, as opposed to manual user entry of a targeted volume at userinterface 96 (FIG. 1) of the remote dispensing device 155.

A container 180′, which is substantially identical to container 180, maycarry and RFID tag 182′ and receive purified water direction from, forexample, the water outlet 32 (FIG. 1) of main purification unit 150. Thetransceiver 168 of main purification unit 150 includes a tag readeradapted to retrieve the information stored on RFID tag 182′ across acommunications link 186′ when the RFID tag 182′ and the RFID tag readerof transceiver 168 are in proximity. After reading the targeted volume,the main purification unit 150 can initiate a water dispensing event, asdiagrammatically indicted by single-headed arrow 184′, from the wateroutlet 32 of the main purification unit 150 to the container 180′ tofill the container 180′ with an amount of purified water substantiallyequal to the stored volume on the RFID tag 182′.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, each of the remotedispensing devices 151, 153, 155 may comprise a different type of remotedispensing device (not shown) including, but not limited to, adishwasher or a clinical chemistry analyzer system each having a valveto control the dispensing of purified water from the respective mainpurification units 150, 152, 154 for use in the device.

While the invention has been illustrated by the description of one ormore embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been describedin considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any waylimit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additionaladvantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in theart. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited tothe specific details, representative apparatus and methods andillustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures maybe made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit ofApplicant's general inventive concept.

1. A method of wirelessly operating a water purification system having amain purification unit and a remote dispensing device including adispenser fluidly coupled with the main purification unit, the methodcomprising: entering a targeted volume of purified water or a targeteddispensing time at the remote dispensing device; initiating a waterdispensing event at the remote dispensing device to dispense thepurified water from the dispenser; and communicating a first wirelesssignal containing data indicative of at least one of the targeted volumeof water, the targeted dispensing time, or an indication of theinitiation of the water dispensing event from the remote dispensingdevice to the main purification unit.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: measuring an actual volume of water incrementally dispensedwith a flow sensor at the main purification unit; communicating a secondwireless signal from the main purification unit to the remote dispensingdevice containing data instructing the remote dispensing device to endthe water dispensing event when the actual and targeted volumes areapproximately equal; and ending the water dispensing event upon receiptof the second wireless signal.
 3. The method of claim 2 whereincommunicating the second wireless signal further comprises: relaying thesecond wireless signal from the main purification unit through at leastanother remote dispensing device to the remote dispensing device.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: measuring a lapsed time at themain purification unit; and ending the water dispensing event uponreceipt of the second wireless signal.
 5. The method of claim 4 whereincommunicating the second wireless signal further comprises:communicating a second wireless signal from the main purification unitto the remote dispensing device containing data instructing the remotedispensing device to end the water dispensing event when the lapsed timeis approximately equal to the targeted time.
 6. The method of claim 5wherein communicating the second wireless signal further comprises:relaying the second wireless signal from the main purification unitthrough at least another remote dispensing device to the remotedispensing device.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:monitoring a purity of the purified water at the main purification unit;and communicating a second wireless signal encoding an indication of thepurity from the main purification unit to the remote dispensing device.8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: ending the water dispensingevent if the monitored purity is less than a purity set point.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: ending the water dispensing eventafter the targeted volume or the targeted dispensing time is achieved;and circulating a flow of the purified water in a closed loop betweenthe remote dispensing device and the main purification unit untilanother water dispensing event is initiated.
 10. The method of claim 1wherein communicating the first wireless signal further comprises:relaying the first wireless signal from the remote dispensing devicethrough at least another remote dispensing device to the mainpurification unit.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:monitoring a purity of the purified water at the remote dispensingdevice; and ending the water dispensing event if the monitored purity isless than a purity set point.
 12. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising: communicating a second wireless signal from the remotedispensing device to the main purification unit containing dataindicating that the water dispensing event has ended at the remotedispensing device.
 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:measuring an actual volume of water incrementally dispensed with a flowsensor at the remote dispensing device; and ending the water dispensingevent when the actual and targeted volumes are approximately equal. 14.The method of claim 12 further comprising: communicating a secondwireless signal from the remote dispensing device to the mainpurification unit containing data indicating that the water dispensingevent has ended at the remote dispensing device.
 15. The method of claim1 wherein the remote dispensing device includes an RFID tag reader, andentering the targeted volume of purified water further comprises:reading the targeted volume from an RFID tag carried by a container;dispensing the purified water from the dispenser of the remotedispensing device into the container; measuring an actual volume of thepurified water dispensed into the container; and ending the waterdispensing event when the actual and targeted volumes are approximatelyequal.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein measuring the actual volume ofthe purified water dispensed into the container further comprises:measuring the actual volume with a flow sensor at the remote dispensingdevice.
 17. A method of wirelessly operating a water purification systemhaving a main purification unit and first and second remote dispensingdevices each including a dispenser fluidly coupled with the mainpurification unit, the method comprising: entering a first targetedvolume of purified water or a first targeted dispensing time at one ofthe first and second remote dispensing devices; initiating a first waterdispensing event at the one of the first and second remote dispensingdevices to dispense the purified water from the respective dispenser;and communicating a first wireless signal containing data indicative ofat least one of the first targeted volume of water, the first targeteddispensing time, or an indication of the initiation of the first waterdispensing event from the one of the first and second remote dispensingdevices to the main purification unit.
 18. The method of claim 17further comprising: measuring a first actual volume of waterincrementally dispensed with a flow sensor at the one of the first andsecond remote dispensing devices; and ending the first water dispensingevent when the first actual and first targeted volumes are approximatelyequal.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: communicating asecond wireless signal from the one of the first and second remotedispensing devices to the main purification unit containing dataindicating that the first water dispensing event has ended.
 20. Themethod of claim 17 further comprising: entering a second targeted volumeor a second targeted dispensing time at the other of the first andsecond remote dispensing devices; and initiating a second waterdispensing event at the other of the first and second remote dispensingdevices to dispense the purified water from a dispenser of the other ofthe first and second remote dispensing devices.
 21. The method of claim20 further comprising: measuring a first actual volume of waterincrementally dispensed with a first flow sensor at the first remotedispensing device; and measuring a second actual volume of waterincrementally dispensed with a second flow sensor at the second remotedispensing device.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising: endingthe second water dispensing event when the second actual and secondtargeted volumes are approximately equal.
 23. The method of claim 22further comprising: communicating a second wireless signal from theother of the first and second remote dispensing devices to the mainpurification unit containing data indicating that the second waterdispensing event has ended.
 24. The method of claim 20 furthercomprising: communicating a second wireless signal containing dataindicative of at least one of the second targeted volume of water, thesecond targeted dispensing time, or an indication of the initiation ofthe second water dispensing event from the other of the first and secondremote dispensing devices to the main purification unit.
 25. The methodof claim 20 further comprising: communicating a second wireless signalcontaining data indicative of at least one of the second targeted volumeof water, the second targeted dispensing time, or an indication of theinitiation of the second water dispensing event from the other of thefirst and second remote dispensing devices to another main purificationunit fluidly coupled with the dispenser of the second remote dispensingdevice.
 26. The method of claim 17 further comprising: entering a secondtargeted volume or a second targeted dispensing time at the other of thefirst and second remote dispensing devices; and communicating a secondwireless signal containing data indicative of at least one of the secondtargeted volume of water, the second targeted dispensing time, or anindication of the initiation of the second water dispensing event fromthe other of the first and second remote dispensing devices to the mainpurification unit.
 27. The method of claim 17 wherein the mainpurification unit has a flow sensor, and further comprising: measuringan actual volume of purified water dispensed during the first dispensingevent with a flow sensor at the main purification unit; and forbiddingthe other of the first and second remote dispensing devices frominitiating a second water dispensing event to dispense the purifiedwater from a dispenser of the other of the first and second remotedispensing devices until the first water dispensing event has ended. 28.The method of claim 27 further comprising: initiating a second waterdispensing event at the other of the first and second remote dispensingdevices when the first water dispensing event ends.
 29. The method ofclaim 28 further comprising: measuring an actual volume of purifiedwater dispensed during the second dispensing event with a flow sensor atthe main purification unit.
 30. A method of operating a waterpurification system having a main purification unit having a wateroutlet and a remote dispensing device including a dispenser fluidlycoupled with the main purification unit, at least one of the remotedispensing device or the water purification unit including an RFID tagreader, the method comprising: placing a container carrying an RFID tagin proximity to the RFID tag reader; reading a targeted volume ofpurified water from the RFID tag using the RFID tag reader; anddispensing an amount of purified water substantially equal to thetargeted volume into the container.
 31. The method of claim 30 whereinreading the targeted volume further comprises: reading the targetedvolume with the RFID tag reader at the remote dispensing device.
 32. Themethod of claim 31 wherein dispensing the amount of purified waterfurther comprises: dispensing the amount of purified water from thedispenser of the remote dispensing device.
 33. The method of claim 30wherein reading the targeted volume further comprises: reading thetargeted volume with the RFID tag reader at the main purification unit.34. The method of claim 33 wherein dispensing the amount of purifiedwater further comprises: dispensing the amount of purified water fromthe water outlet of the main purification unit.